Speak Language (Skill) (Midnight)

Eredane’s rich variety of languages are one of the few artifacts that remain from the time before the Shadow fell. Some of its languages are more developed than others, and some are falling more and more into disuse as Izrador’s influence crushes native cultures. Also, reading and writing may not be taught in most of occupied Eredane, and thus literacy has fallen to drastically low levels. Because of these factors, languages in MIDNIGHT are handled slightly differently from those in the core rules.

First, all characters are considered to be illiterate, even in their native language. In order to become literate, a character must first find someone who can read and write the language, which can be a quest in and of itself. The character must then spend two skill points to acquire literacy in a language, at which point he gains the same level of written competence as he has competence in the spoken language. From that point forward, if the character spends more points to increase his competence in a language, his competence in the written version of that language also increases. When languages are listed in character write-ups and stat blocks, an asterisk (*) after the language denotes literacy.

Language Competence

Most languages of Eredane have three levels of competence: pidgin, basic competence, and fluency. One skill point spent on a language allows the character to learn the pidgin version of it, which lets a character understand and recite only basic grammatical structures and words. Two skill points grants basic competency in both speech and comprehension, while three skill points buys fluency. When languages are listed in character write-ups and stat blocks, a (1) after the language represents pidgin competence, while a (2) after the language represents basic competence. If there is no number in paranthesis after the language, the character is fluent in that language.

Some languages, like Black Tongue or Snow Elf Patrol Sign, exist only to convey simple terms and meaning within a very limited scope (in this case warfare), and therefore have no level of competence above pidgin. Others, like High Elven, are so complex and intricate that a pidgin level of competence is meaningless, and only begin to make sense at the basic competence level.

Most characters begin play with fluency in at least one their automatic languages and varying levels of competence in other automatic languages. Additionally, rather than gaining bonus languages for high Intelligence modifiers, starting characters instead gain two skill points per Intelligence bonus to spend on automatic or bonus languages. Characters may not begin play with skill ranks in languages other than those listed as automatic or bonus languages.

Some languages provide a variation on synergy with one another. When a character gains a level of competence in a language (called the primary language) that provides some level of competence in another language (called the related language), his competence in the related language immediately increases. If the character already has that level of competence in the related language, then he gains no benefit from the competence increased granted by the primary language.

A character that learns or improves a language after 1st level can only advance it with one skill point per level, mimicking the natural growth of linguistic mastery over time. Thus, a character who begins play with a pidgin understanding of Norther could not spend two skill points at 2nd level to grant fluency with the language—he can spend one point to gain basic competency, and then another at 3rd or higher level to gain fluency with the language. A character can advance as many languages as he wishes at each level, but only one level of competency at a time.

If you are less than fluent in a language you are attempting to use with certain skills, you may suffer penalties on skill checks with them.

Language Competency Modifiers

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Language Competency Modifiers	Competence	Bluff	Diplomacy	Gather Information	Intimidate	Sense Motive
None	-30	-30	-30	-5	-20
Pidgin	-5	-5	-5	-2	-5
Basic	-2	-2	-2	-	-2
Fluent	-	-	-	-	-

At the DM's discretion, these modifiers may not apply to actions in which language plays no part, such as feinting during combat or using someone's body language as the object of your sense motive skill